(Note: this article refers to historical facts, and MAY NOT be relevant to events in the game.)
The official history of flying in Ethiopia begins with first flight of Haile Selassie (then Regent Ras Tafari) witnessing a show of the British Royal Air Force in November 1922 in Aden. Impressed by it, he proclaimed that "very fitting that he, as regent of Abyssinia should be the first Abyssinian to take flight in an aeroplane." His maiden flight laid a foundation to organisation of Imperial Ethiopian Aviation (IEA) established at Bishoftu, near capital of Addis Ababa on 18 August 1929.
Less than a year later, this tiny air force, organised by officer of Russian descent, Mishka Babitchef, took part in Battle of Anchem, between forces loyal to King Selassie and Pro-Empress Zewiditu, other claimant to the throne of Ethiopia. Though only three Potez 25A2 biplanes were used, they gave an upper hand in reconnaissance and communication to Selassie's forces. The resulting victory consolidated Selassie as rightful Emperor of Ethiopia.
IEA was later put under command of a French pilot, Andre Maillet, reinforced with Potez 25A2 biplanes and two Junkers W.33C and mainly tasked with transport- and liaison duties. Maillet was succeeded by another Frenchman, Paul Corriger, who stayed in Ethiopia until the end of Second Italo-Ethiopian war. In 1930 number of available airframes was increased by addition of a Breda Ba.15 and Ba.25 each, a DeHavilland D.H.60 Gipsy Moth, and two Fairman F.192s. In 1934 and 1935, a number of new aircraft was acquired, including two Beech B17 Staggerwings, two Fokkers (one F.VIIa/3m and an F.XVIII), and a single Meindl AVII. However, IEA remained underdeveloped and lacking flight school, native pilots and technicians. Its small numbers and huge size of the country effectively meant that it lacked the ability to defend it in case of major war.
On the morning of 3 October 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia from Eritrea and Italian Somaliland. In comparison Italians had 595 modern aeroplanes of different types, fully supplied with pilots, ammunition and fuel against 9 Ethiopian aircraft. During the war, Regia Aeronautica (Royal Italian Air Force) used chemical gases, as Yprite and mustard gas against both civilian and military targets, as well as conventional weapons. The fact of chemical warfare was discussed in the League of Nations, with no decisive effect.
During the war several African Americans were recruited or volunteered to go to Ethiopia to serve as professionals in various fields. The most influential of them was Colonel John C Robinson who was assigned the command of the IEA in October 1935. His call sign was "Brown Condor", and until end of war he led the tiny IEA. After the war he recruited pilots for now-famous Tuskegee Airmen.
Another US-pilot active in Ethiopia at the time was Hubert Julian better known as “Black Eagle“, and famous for his record attempts, reckless parachute jumps over Harlem, and creation of all-black flying circus The Black Birds. His parachute landing besides Emperor Selassie's throne won him a citizenship and position in IEA.
Less than a year later, this tiny air force, organised by officer of Russian descent, Mishka Babitchef, took part in Battle of Anchem, between forces loyal to King Selassie and Pro-Empress Zewiditu, other claimant to the throne of Ethiopia. Though only three Potez 25A2 biplanes were used, they gave an upper hand in reconnaissance and communication to Selassie's forces. The resulting victory consolidated Selassie as rightful Emperor of Ethiopia.
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| Potez 25A2 biplane in Ethiopian colors |
IEA was later put under command of a French pilot, Andre Maillet, reinforced with Potez 25A2 biplanes and two Junkers W.33C and mainly tasked with transport- and liaison duties. Maillet was succeeded by another Frenchman, Paul Corriger, who stayed in Ethiopia until the end of Second Italo-Ethiopian war. In 1930 number of available airframes was increased by addition of a Breda Ba.15 and Ba.25 each, a DeHavilland D.H.60 Gipsy Moth, and two Fairman F.192s. In 1934 and 1935, a number of new aircraft was acquired, including two Beech B17 Staggerwings, two Fokkers (one F.VIIa/3m and an F.XVIII), and a single Meindl AVII. However, IEA remained underdeveloped and lacking flight school, native pilots and technicians. Its small numbers and huge size of the country effectively meant that it lacked the ability to defend it in case of major war.
On the morning of 3 October 1935, Italy invaded Ethiopia from Eritrea and Italian Somaliland. In comparison Italians had 595 modern aeroplanes of different types, fully supplied with pilots, ammunition and fuel against 9 Ethiopian aircraft. During the war, Regia Aeronautica (Royal Italian Air Force) used chemical gases, as Yprite and mustard gas against both civilian and military targets, as well as conventional weapons. The fact of chemical warfare was discussed in the League of Nations, with no decisive effect.
During the war several African Americans were recruited or volunteered to go to Ethiopia to serve as professionals in various fields. The most influential of them was Colonel John C Robinson who was assigned the command of the IEA in October 1935. His call sign was "Brown Condor", and until end of war he led the tiny IEA. After the war he recruited pilots for now-famous Tuskegee Airmen. Another US-pilot active in Ethiopia at the time was Hubert Julian better known as “Black Eagle“, and famous for his record attempts, reckless parachute jumps over Harlem, and creation of all-black flying circus The Black Birds. His parachute landing besides Emperor Selassie's throne won him a citizenship and position in IEA.
Operating one of few flyable IEA aircraft, he participated in the fighting right from the start of the war, transporting troops, ammunition and supplies, as well as the Emperor, from one site to the other, and along other pilots was flying transport and reconnaissance missions.
Other notable pilots of Imperial Ethiopian Aviation at that time were
- indispensable Mishka Babitchef,
- Ludwig Weber, who supervised the construction of the "Weber Meindl van Nes A.VII Ethiopia 1" which was a highly modified version of the de Havilland DH.60 Moth and was used as personal transport of Emperor, (representative of Junkers in Addis Ababa and personal pilot of Hailé Sélassié)
- Bahru Kaba (Ethiopian pilot)
- Asfaw Ali (Ethiopian pilot)
- Tesfaye (Ethiopian pilot)
- Thierry Maignal
- Gaston Vedel (French)
- Baron von Engel (German)
- Comte Schatzberg (German)
After series of battles between Italian and Ethiopian forces, and despite bravery of its troops, Ethiopian army was broken, cities like Harar, were declared "open" in the face of unopposed bombardment from air. Emperor Selassie fled the country on 2 of May 1936, thus ending the war. Though there was not a formal surrender, Ethiopia was incorporated into Italian East Africa. Despite defeat Emperor with assistance of John H. Spencer, who acted as official military and legal adviser, made his speech in League of Nations on 30 June 1936 demanding other members not to recognise Italian occupation. He finished his speech with famous words:
"It is us today. It will be you tomorrow."
Despite all, sanctions against Italy were lifted on 15th July 1936 and three years later only USSR and Mexico did not recognised occupation of Ethiopia. Thus first chapter of Imperial Ethiopian Aviation was concluded in the face of much stronger opponent, with all of it aircraft destroyed and pilots either returning to home countries or being killed.
text by Mark-Paul Severn, based on several sources.
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